hello 2018

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It’s been a long time…

We haven’t been slacking off in the past couple of years, quite the opposite in fact. We’ve been navigating the obstacle course called life. Illness, finances, family events, grief, and separation have honed our skills at ducking, dealing and defeating the seemingly olympian trials that 2016 and 17 brought our way.

2018 is looking a lot better!

We’re weird that way. We see opportunities where some would run and hide. You see, we excel at turning less than desired stuff into pure gold.  As it runs out we’ve been diagnosed with a couple of chronic illnesses resulting in chronic pain (among other things). With some hu,our, a few tears and lots of comparing notes, we’ve managed to get a handle on it all – mostly.

Prescriptions and setbacks slowed us down. One of us had to detox from the what were dangerous and harmful side effects of these prescribed toxins. For a while there it wasn’t looking too pretty. Coincidentally, during this recovery and self discovery period, medical cannabis exploded in Canada. (smiles here)  We, meaning the two of us, decided that it was a course of action that we should take a good look at. We are chilled chicks after all albeit older ones. (Think 50+) We both obtained our medical cards and have slowly brought our individual aches and pain under control.. The rest as they say has become recent history. The pain hasn’t disappeared for either one of us, but we’ve found some relief from the constant aches and wicked pain.

That discovery became extremely relevant to us. Part of our healing process involved spending weekends working together on workshop samples and just creating for the hell of it. This was a long way from working out on the beach, but it became our salvation. We would take our places on either side of the table, share a good mea, have tons of laughs with a couple of cannabis breaks and create art. We learned how to quiet the bark and clobber the bite of the chronic pain monster.

We’re artists and teachers which makes us resilient by trade, crazy by nature and tenacious educators. But we had to face the fact that the days of wrangling in a classroom are gone. Long gone. The desire to teach and share however is ever-present and burning desire – it’s a calling. So we’re embarking on a new phase.

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In the future you’ll be seeing articles about how to care for yourself, connections and links to programs that lift the spirit, info on natural health and nutrition.We’re sharing what our experiences are and keeping it real. We’re also creating cannabis friendly creative workshops for med card holders that need to get their asses out of the house when they feel like poop. We promise you’ll feel good when you get here!

And how about an online series for those of us who just can’t make it out to a physical workshop? Have a bit of patience we’ll be rolling it all out slowly, because pacing yourself is one of the keys to feeling good and we’re all healing.

Sending and wishing you the best vibes.

Fearlessly,
Chilled Chicks

 

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What Does The Year Of The Dog Mean For Your Chinese Zodiac Sign? Here’s What To Expect No Matter What Year You Were Born

By Brittany Bennett

On Feb. 16 the world will celebrate the Chinese New Year, welcoming the Year of the Dog in like the good doggo it is — we hope. A new year means new zodiac predictions for the 365 days ahead. So, what does the Year of the Dog mean for your Chinese zodiac sign? Whatever animal represents your Chinese zodiac, there’s one major theme grounding all of the signs — meaning that even if you’re not a Dog sign, you’re going to be affected by the Year of the Dog anyway.

This is the Year of the Dog, but it’s important to note what kind of dog. In short, there are five elements that represent each zodiac. Those are: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. 2018 is the year of the Earth Dog, so imagine this year as a loyal Golden Retriever sprawled across your feet. While the year will affect each sign differently, the element of Earth seems to be universal.

Horoscopes.com writes, “The element of earth will become very important to all signs this year, bringing more groundedness and stability. Where last year may have had you scrambling to keep up with all the opportunities coming your way, this year you get to settle into one or more of them, and start feeling confident and at ease.” Where we all might have felt hectic last year, we’ll have a chance to settle down and enjoy the treats we’ve earned.

Rat

Paste that list of goals on your refrigerator. Rats are driven. Remember the pizza rat? Stairs and a slice three times the creatures size was just a mere obstacle for the rat’s ultimate goal to enjoy the ultimate feast trackside. You’ll get the enjoy the slice — the whole pie, rather — this year. Horoscopes.com suggests, “during the year of the earth Dog, you may find that you’re more determined than ever to make some of your larger goals happen. You’ve put all the smaller steps into place, and now it’s time to reap the rewards of all your hard work.”

Ox

Is your inbox piling up with invites? Say yes, even if you might fear being a bit uncomfortable at first. Horoscope.com writes, “Your desire to build more good fortune in your life grows by leaps and bounds as you get to know the right people, and put the right plans into place.” Being in the right place at the right time around the right people could be the norm this year. Use the support and energy to put your big plans into motion.

Tiger

It’s a totally socially conscious reawakening for the Tiger in the Year of the Dog. Karmaweather.com predicts, “the Tiger is more concerned with his spiritual well-being, and discovers with astonishment the strength and beneficial protection of an altruistic behavior. More concerned about preserving the environment, the Tiger also evolves in his consumption habits. The Tiger, if it wasn’t already the case, now tends to favor the consumption of healthier, seasonal and locally produced food.” Get out your canvas bags and your yoga mat, because you’ll be more committed than ever this year to do some good.

Rabbit

Thanks to the theme of stability your bank account may benefit. Horoscopes.com writes, “Even your financial situation gets a boost from the Earth element, and you can see your funds grow through careful decision-making. Let a little of your normal reserve go, and have fun this year!” Perhaps you’ll be inspired to figure out a budget, or pad your savings account, so you can enjoy a night out without worrying about depleting the funds for your future!

Dragon

Interestingly enough in terms of compatibility, the sign of the Dragon is opposite to the Dog. This makes 2018 a little bit more of a challenge for the Dragon. However, Karmaweather.com assures, “Earth with a Yang polarity, element of the year 2018, is in harmony with the stable element of the Dragon, which is also Earth. Because of this correspondence, he is able to face more confidently the negative events he may have to confront if he’s not on his guard.” Anything that might pose as a challenge can be handled with ease.

Snake

 2018 is all about refueling. If there are people obstructing your slithering path, you might need to whip out the rattler to warn them out of your way. The focus is on becoming better, so don’t let anyone hold you back. Horoscopes.com writes, “Self-improver though you are, you’re also mastering new skills like resilience, courage and renewed energy. Just make sure you get your beauty sleep each night!” Sssslay!

Horse

The horse may need to concentrate more on the herd this year. Karmaweather.com predicts, “During the Year of the Dog 2018, the Horse is more centered on the needs of his home and family. It’s for the better, because it’s a period during which his plans for long distant journeys are put on hold.” While big leaps may be put on hold for right now, there’s no better time to strengthen your home base.

 Goat

In a wonderful world of interspecies friendships, goats and dogs might not be the fairytale friendship we hope it to be. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean the Year of the Dog will be hard for goats. Actually, relationships will get a great boost. Horoscopes.com says, “Relationships soar around mid-year, when you finally can’t hold your feelings in anymore. Thankfully, they’re returned, and the sky’s the limit! Friends, family, and other loyal cohorts pick you up when things are challenging, and get you back on your feet.” Loyalty isn’t a trait reserved only for Golden Retrievers. Even if this year shows obstacles, you’ll have a support system to help you through.

Rooster

This year is all about balance. Horoscopes.com says, “Though you get ahead in money and at work through steady application of your skills, you may be forced into uncomfortable situations with people you don’t like.” Take this year a day at a time, and work on being a team player.

Dog

The energy of the year is focused on you! Horoscopes.com suggests to expect, “The year of the earth Dog highlights dependability, building loyalty at work and in relationships, and certainly building material wealth.” This year is like learning how to play fetch. It’s about showing your skill and working on building stronger, beneficial relationships that will ultimately lead to success in the future.

Pig

Take care of yourself, Pig! Karmaweather.com suggests, “The Pig must take great care of his expenses, especially in the middle of the year, and particularly around May 2018, at the risk of being caught up in money problems or realizing too late that he has invested at a loss.” There’s no reason to freak, but it’s good to be cautious about spending habits and their consequences this year to benefit your ultimate comfort. And comfort is something a pig certainly enjoys.

Source: What Does The Year Of The Dog Mean For Your Chinese Zodiac Sign? Here’s What To Expect No Matter What Year You Were Born

How to Make Cannabis Lube for Valentine’s Day · High Times

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How to Make Cannabis Lube for Valentine’s Day

Written by Monica Lo & Scott Peabody from Sous Weed
. Photos by Monica Lo.

Every year when Valentine’s Day rolls around, discussions turn to natural aphrodisiacs, whether it be chocolate or oysters. Alas, most of this talk is all hype—the truth is, oysters aren’t nature’s Viagra, they just look vaguely vaginal.

The good news is that when it comes to putting us in the mood for love, cannabis is the genuine article. Aside from stimulating all the right parts of your biggest sexual organ (we’re talking about the brain, calm down), our sensual friend Mary also has a soothing side when used topically.

So how to apply this knowledge?

That being the case, we opted to use some of our favorite fats, coconut and avocado oil, and went tropical with mango massage oil and pineapple lube. But before things get slippery, it occurs to us that some of you might be leery about applying tropical fruits on your most delicate bits, and we’re happy to put your fears to rest.

First off, sugar isn’t fat soluble, so spoilage isn’t an issue. A more pressing concern is that tropical fruits contain enzymes that can be used to tenderize meat (gasp!), but here again, there’s nothing to fret about: these enzymes aren’t heat stable and will be fully denatured (inactivated) by the infusing process. Phew!

The consistency of the finished cannabis-infused lubricant.

It’s also important to note that oil-based lubricants are not for everyone. If you’re using oil-based lubricants with condoms, the latex may weaken and break. Not so fun.

With that out of the way, you just need to get cooking before things get steamy.

For that, we turn to our favorite infusion technique: sous vide. This means placing decarbed cannabis, fat and aromatics in a zip-sealed bag and cooking in a precise temperature water bath, thanks to a gadget called an immersion circulator, which ensures optimal THC extraction with no risk of overcooking.

With the right tools at your disposal, we give you these recipes for romance, to make your V-Day truly magical.

2_Oil_Ingredients

Avocuddle Lube

Makes: 8 oz

Ingredients:
• 8 oz avocado oil, cold-pressed (or substitute with virgin coconut oil)
• 1/2 oz ground cannabis, decarbed (add more or less depending on your desired potency)
• 2 oz dried pineapple with no additives or sugar, optional*

Directions:

1. First you need to decarb your ground cannabis to activate the THC. Wrap the ground cannabis in foil and place in the oven at 310ºF for 10 to 18 minutes. You know it’s ready when it starts smelling like a Christmas tree.

2. Set your sous vide water bath to 85ºC (185ºF).

3_SousVide_Infusion
3. Pour the avocado or coconut oil in zip seal bag and add the warm, decarbed trim. Seal the bag using the water displacement method and place into the water bath to sous vide for 4 hours to fully infuse.

4. After 4 hours, gently remove bag from water bath and let cool.

5. Strain out the cannabis and solids with a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth and discard.

6. Keep the oil in a cool dark place.

*The dried pineapple adds a warm tropical scent to lubricant and tastes quite nice. Sugar does not dissolve in oil so no worries about yeast infections!

For more recipes...

Source: How to Make Cannabis Lube for Valentine’s Day · High Times

Let’s make Valentine’s Day a day for everyone, instead of making singles feel miserable and inadequate | Toronto Star

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Remember grade school, when everyone received a valentine? Widening the scope of this most romantic holiday could take the sting out for single people. ~Emma Teitel

By EMMA TEITEL National Columnist
Tues., Feb. 13, 2018

I think it’s safe to say that no holiday has been looked forward to less in the history of holidays than Valentine’s Day, except maybe Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement — though I’m sure there are lovesick people out there who’d prefer fasting in a synagogue to eating their feelings in front of the TV on February 14.

Don’t believe me? V Day is apparently so distressing for some (especially those who suffer from “anuptaphobia,” the fear of being single forever) that restaurants have taken to offering food specials specifically designed not for smitten couples, but for jaded singles.

Hooters, for example, a dining establishment that doesn’t immediately jump to mind when you think about romantic love, now offers a promotion called “Shred ‘Em and Forget ‘Em,” whereby customers can bring a photo of an ex lover into the restaurant on Valentine’s Day and enlist a Hooters employee to help them “shred” said photo, after which they can redeem the tattered paper remains of their ex-beau for 10 boneless chicken wings. Unfortunately the event takes place at “participating locations” only, which is a shame, because I don’t think I can imagine anything sadder than a recently dumped, heartbroken person arriving at their local Hooters with a photo of an ex only to be told, “Sorry, that deal isn’t valid at this restaurant. No Buffalo chicken for you.” Wing-less and alone: It’s a fate I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Despite what you may have heard, Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be synonymous with loneliness for people who haven’t found romantic love, because it doesn’t have to be synonymous with romantic love at all. The advantage of a Hallmark holiday with almost zero religious significance is that it’s open to re-imagination. It’s not exactly sacred.

At the risk of offending anti-PC types wary of “snowflakes,” I’d like to make the case that, in order to alleviate and maybe even put an end to the Valentine’s Day Blues, adults take an inclusive, grade-school approach to V Day, the kind of approach where everybody with a pulse gets a box of cinnamon hearts and a cheesy card. The kind of approach where you buy your wife a pair of sexy underwear, but you buy your best pal a pair of practical undies while you’re at it, and you take him out for dinner and toast to the power of friendship. Or if you’re so inclined, you take out a sibling, or a parent or a grandparent or the guy who shovels your driveway.

 Take the Valentine’s Day Quiz Here

In other words, you take a page out of the book of Glad Day, an LGBTQ bookstore and restaurant in Toronto’s Church and Wellesley Village that is offering a prix fixe pasta dinner this V Day for anybody who comes through the door, regardless of their relationship status. From the bookstore’s Facebook page: “Want to celebrate Valentine’s Day in (a) space where you won’t be judged? Not only will Glad Day be free of homophobia and transphobia — we are also a great place for you to celebrate any configuration of love! So whether it’s romantic, familial or friendship love you are celebrating, whether you are a couple, a group or solo, whether your love is something that knows no bounds . . . we are here for you.”

There is no reason Valentine’s Day, as a rule, has to make unattached people feel inadequate and miserable. This is especially true if we shift the holiday’s theme from one of strictly romantic love to one of love in general, romantic and otherwise. Will this dilute the holiday’s spirit and encourage corporations to try to sell us even more useless V-Day-themed merchandise? Absolutely. But who cares. We’re already swimming in it anyway. I might understand the impulse to curse the existence of V Day or to ignore the holiday altogether if there was any chance that loathing it and pretending it didn’t exist might actually make it cease to exist. But it’s here to stay. The best way then, to make it bearable for all, and who knows, maybe even kind of fun, is to celebrate platonic bonds on February 14 and give everybody, no matter their relationship status, the perks of unconditional love — from cinnamon hearts to boneless Buffalo chicken wings.

 

Source: Let’s make Valentine’s Day a day for everyone, instead of making singles feel miserable and inadequate | Toronto Star

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Self Test

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by   |Natural Holistic Health

chronic-fatigue-300x240-e1486456006388

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, CFS, is a debilitating condition that currently has no definitive cause identified and can result in unemployment and disability from the symptoms.

Sufferers have specific symptoms that they identify and experience over time. There have been several causative agents theorized to have an effect on the condition or to cause the condition but up until this time there have been no definitive research studies that are conclusive.

Until this time there has also been no conclusive test that can either rule in or rule out the condition. One of the biggest reasons that physicians don’t have a definitive test for the condition is because they don’t have a conclusive cause. There is, however, a list of symptoms and signs that are associated with the condition.

These specific symptoms are a necessary part of the diagnosis. And, because these symptoms are also indicative of other medical diagnoses it is important that your physician rule out other medical problems. Only after all other potential conditions are ruled out can a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome be made.

Because the diagnosis is one of exclusion, when all other possible diagnoses are ruled out before the diagnosis can be made, it is essential that if you believe you may have chronic fatigue syndrome you should be evaluated by a physician. Other diagnoses that have similar symptoms are diabetes and thyroid conditions. Both of these are treatable but without treatment can cause significant long-term damage to the body.A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome self test would include a knowledge of the symptoms and time line of the patients experience. If after taking this self test you believe you have a problem please see your medical practitioner for an evaluation.

To diagnose CFS the symptoms must be present for 6 months or greater without other medical conditions diagnosed with similar symptoms. If you suspect you have a problem don’t wait six months to see if the symptoms remain. Instead, visit your doctor to rule out other medical conditions that may respond to treatment. In fact, one of the criteria for this self-test is that you have visited your physician and have had other medical conditions ruled out.

If you have been tired or fatigued for 6 months or greater that isn”t relieved with sleep or rest you may have CFS. Patients with CFS complain of non-restorative sleep. In other words, they sleep but awaken exhausted and unable to function well during the day.

Sufferers will also have four of the following symptoms that have been present for six months or greater and have caused an impairment in the daily living activities of the sufferer: impaired memory, impaired concentration, sore throat, tenderness or pain in the lymph nodes around the arm pits or neck, muscle pain, feeling tired even 24 hours after exercise, non-restorative sleep, pain in multiple joints with swelling or redness or a different type of headache with different pattern and severity.

If you have suffered at least four of these symptoms for six months or greater and have had other medical problems ruled out then the likelihood is that you may have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Self-tests aren’t always accurate but they do give both patients and doctors a starting point for diagnosis and recommendations for treatment protocols.

Source: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Self Test

New Research: Women Aren’t Paid Less Because They Have More Flexible Jobs

They work in low-paying jobs because they have no other choice.

By HEEJUNG CHUNG                                                     JAN 30, 201810:00 AM

A recent study shows that the global gender pay gap has increased to 32 percent, and projects that at this rate, women will have to wait another 217 years for the pay gap to close. It’s not just your own gender, but the gender makeup of your workplace that predicts your wages. Workers in female-dominated workplaces have been shown to be paid less than other workers. An industry’s pay level even starts to decrease when women take over a male-dominated field.

Some argue that the low pay for women is justified by the fact that ‘women’s work’ is generally less strenuous/hazardless work compared to men’s work, and that, in exchange for lower wages, they have better working conditions—especially those that allow a better work-life balance. Some well-meaning scholars argue that women sometimes forego higher pay to have that flexibility in their jobs—an argument sometimes extended to suggest that women voluntarily “choose” lower paying jobs to facilitate their “life choices”—read: to take care of children.

This is what I found in a recently published paper in the European Journal of Industrial Relations. Using data from across 27 European countries, I tested to see whether the gender of the worker, and the gender makeup of the workplace has an influence on workers’ access to flexible working arrangements—namely flexitime—the ability to control starting and ending times of your work. The results show that there were no significant differences between men and women in their access to flexitime across Europe—if anything men getting slightly better access. What’s more, workers in female-majority workplaces had the worst level of access to flexitime compared to their counterparts in male-majority workplaces or workplaces where men and women were equally represented.

The gap was significant: In some cases, working in female-dominated workplaces such as care work, primary education, or places where the work tends to be largely clerical meant you were only half as likely to have access to flexitime compared to other workplaces. This was the case for both men and women in those workplaces, and held true even when other factors such as skill levels, working hours, contract status, and other relevant factors were taken into account. Furthermore, female-dominated workplaces were worse off in terms of flexitime access in all of the 27 European countries investigated. It isn’t just flexitime. I also found similar results for other types of flexible working arrangements such as the ability to take time off work a couple of hours to tend to personal issues.

 This isn’t just true in Europe: Studies dating back to the 1990s using data in the U.S. found similar results. So why does this myth of women and workers in female-dominated workplaces having better access to flexible working arrangements persist, despite the facts?

One reason is because of how the debate over flexible work has been framed. Many countries, including the U.K., have introduced the right to flexible working as a major way of addressing work-family issues for workers. Thus many assume that those who are in most need of family-friendly arrangements will be those who are most likely to have access to it. Given that in all countries, women still take up the bulk of the care and household responsibilities, people think they will have better access to these arrangements.

Employers tend to provide workers control over their work when they trust and believe that will contribute back to the company rather than to skive off work. As a result, this control isrewarded only to high-skill workers in top occupations. Since society still holds rather gendered views of men and women—believing that men’s priorities lies in breadwinning while women will prioritize their family life, employers are more reluctant to provide control over work time to women, believing they will use it to care for their families rather than use it to improve their work performance.

So what does this all mean? It means that workers in female-dominated workplaces are paid less, and they are worse off in having access to family-friendly policies that enable them to maintain their careers while meeting demands at home. This may also explain why so many women have to end up working part-time when they have children—it isn’t an unfettered life choice, but precisely because other options that can help them balance work with family lifeare not available to them. They have no other option but to reduce their hours. And in many countries, including the U.S., part-time work is usually accompanied by, you guessed it, lower pay.

A good example comes from a friend who had an administrative job in a predominantly female department. Despite the fact that her work could be done anywhere and any time, her boss would not let her work from home especially if it had anything to do with childcare reasons. This is despite within the same company, in other departments where it wasn’t quite female dominated, working from home was much more easily granted.

What can we do to change this? The example of the U.K. shows that the introduction of right to request flexible working alone does not help to enable flexible working access to workers, especially those who need it most. Employers need to see the vast benefits flexible workingcan provide to their company through recruiting and maintaining their workforce.

Read more…
Source: Why women get less flexibility and lower wages.

Lunar Eclipse January 2018 – Super Woman – Astrology King

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The lunar eclipse on Wednesday January 31, 2018 is at 11 degrees Leo. The lunar eclipse January 2018 astrology centers on an extremely close alignment of the Moon and Ceres. The moon rules women and traditional motherhood, while Ceres rules independent women and modern motherhood.

Lunar eclipse January 2018 will focus attention on single mothers and working mothers. Working single mothers really are super women. The rights and freedoms of women in general are major themes of the January 31 lunar eclipse. Social discussions and political debate in this eclipse phase will include parenting styles, custody rights, maternity leave, childcare and equal pay.

Lunar Eclipse Meaning

Like a regular full moon only stronger, a lunar eclipse focuses your attention on intimate relationships, your home and your family. A total lunar eclipse has an even strong influence on your private life. Sun opposite Moon qualities of emotions and instincts reach their peak at a lunar eclipse. This lets you take an objective and balanced look at your close relationships. Because you will be in touch with your own needs and intentions, you will clearly see any relationship imbalances causing disharmony.

With a total lunar eclipse in particular, the blotting out of the Moon represents a resetting of your emotions, clearing away the emotional baggage of the previous six months. The January 31 lunar eclipse marks the end of an eclipse phase which began with the August 7, 2017 lunar eclipse. This new eclipse phase will include the solar eclipse on 15 February 2018 and last until the solar eclipse on 12 July 2018.

Lunar Eclipse January 2018 Astrology

The January 31, 2018 lunar eclipse falls at 11°37′ Leo Sign. However, due to the precession of the equinoxes, this eclipse is in Cancer Constellation. Lunar eclipse January 2018 sits between two fixed stars in the Crab Constellation.

At 08°58′ Leo Sign is fixed star Asellus Australis on the Shell the Crab. At 13°53′ Leo Sign is fixed star Acubens in the Claws of the Crab. If you believe astrology works on the principle of “as above, so below”, this is a Cancer lunar eclipse more than a Leo lunar eclipse. After all, the astrological meaning of the Constellations were gradually transferred to the newly developed Zodiac over 2,000 year ago. The original Zodiac was only intended to be a coordinates system, “a convenient celestial measuring device, unrelated to astrological activity.” [1] 

The Moon is at home in Cancer Constellation, meaning full moon January 2018 will be a very powerful total eclipse of the Moon. Cancer the Crab rules the home and family, mothers, mothering, housework and comfort. It is emotional, domestic, intuitive and sensitive. The Crab, and this lunar eclipse, should make you more caring and responsibility, with a charitable and fostering nature. The Moon in Cancer Constellation is emotional, domestic and sensitive. Cancer and the Moon are more intuitive than logical.

The lunar eclipse January 2018 astrology chart below shows the Moon right next to Ceres. This is an extremely powerful conjunction with only 0°02′ separating them.

The Moon represents your emotions, subconscious, habits, memories, moods, mother, maternal instincts, nurturing, home and your need for security.

Minor planet Ceres rules motherly love, female reproductive issues, family bonds and relationships. As a virgin goddess, Ceres represents independent single women and sole parents.  As a grain goddess, Ceres rules the growing of plants and food crops, the harvest, natural resources and the environment.

Lunar Eclipse January 2018 Astrology

Lunar Eclipse January 2018 Astrology Chart

Lunar Eclipse Conjunct Ceres

The lunar eclipse January 2018 Moon so closely conjunct Ceres will focus attention on the polar opposites of mothering. The Moon rules traditional motherhood, where mom stays home to nurture. Ceres rules modern motherhood such as working mothers and single mothers. Working single mothers really are super women. Sole parent fathers are included with Ceres because they play the role of nurturer.

Many women love staying home while the man goes off to work. However, an increasing number of married women and mothers wish for more freedom to earn their own wage. Sometimes their human rights are denied by controlling husbands, parents, in-laws and religions. Some women are scared of leaving or being a single mother because of the social stigma or lack of social security. In certain conservative religious cultures and countries, women face torture and murder for wanting to divorce or for liking the “wrong” man.

Full moon January 2018 will also shine a light on the two extremes in parenting styles as a political issue. Conservative government financially punished single parents as a way of social engineering. Expect some high-profile political and legal debates about prenuptial agreements, maternity leave, childcare and equal pay.

Another polarity you may have to deal with is the shared custody of children. Following a separation there is often a dispute over the sharing of assets and finances. Finding a balance will take some concessions from both sides. However, the tightness of the conjunction between Moon and Ceres gives the main caregiver an advantage in the family law courts.

The Moon or Ceres or both represent the women, mothers, working women and single parents. The Sun represents the dominating men, politicians and religions. The Sun also represents the role of provider as opposed to nurturer. So finding a balance between work and family will be another issue highlighted by the January 2018 total lunar eclipse.

Lunar Eclipse Quincunx Neptune

This tense aspect will make you even more emotionally sensitive than Ceres Full Moon in Cancer Constellation will. Too many feelings or conflicting emotions could cause confusion and increasing tension. If this tension continues to increase you may reach a tipping point when you either have to escape or have a melt down.

The same thing can happen because of addiction, infectious disease, misdiagnosis or poisoning. Paranoia and suspicion could lead to mistrust and the poisoning of a relationship. You may even suffer from gossip, scandal, betrayal, loss or disappointment.

Lunar Eclipse January 2018 Summary

This lunar eclipse January 2018 astrology is based on Constellation of Cancer the Crab. Ruled by the Moon, Cancer is the most sensitive and emotional of the constellations. A near exact conjunction of the Moon and Ceres will focus your attention on the rights and conditions of women in traditional families, single women, working women and single parents.

Sun opposite Moon and Ceres means you will need to think about the polarities in your life relating to parenting and the roles of women in families and society. It is time look carefully to see if you have the right balance in your life. Balance between family and work, children and career, or between looking after yourself and nurturing others. The key to finding the right balance is trust and faith in yourself and in your belief system.

 

January 2018 Lunar Eclipse Path

The January 31 lunar eclipse will be visible over north-western North America, the Pacific, Asia, and Australia. The entire eclipse will last for 5 hours and 17 minutes. The totality of the lunar eclipse will last for 1 hour and 16 minutes and the color of the Moon will change to red.

Lunar Eclipse January 2018 PathIf Lunar Eclipse January 2018 directly impacts your horoscope decan you can read about its effect in your monthly horoscope. For more detail about how it affects your natal chart see Full Moon Transits.

Previous Moon Phase: New Moon 16 January 2018
Next Moon Phase: Solar Eclipse 15 February 2018

Lunar Eclipse January 2018 Times and Dates

Los Angeles
New York
London
Delhi
Sydney
January 31 – 5:26 am
January 31 – 8:26 am
January 31 – 1:26 pm
January 31 – 6:56 pm
January 31 – 11:26 pm

References

  1. Heavenly Imprints, Deborah Houlding

Source: Lunar Eclipse January 2018 – Super Woman – Astrology King

Kelly McGonigal: How to make stress your friend | TED Talk | TED.com

Stress. It makes your heart pound, your breathing quicken and your forehead sweat. But while stress has been made into a public health enemy, new research suggests that stress may only be bad for you if you believe that to be the case. Psychologist Kelly McGonigal urges us to see stress as a positive, and introduces us to an unsung mechanism for stress reduction: reaching out to others.

 This talk was presented at an official TED conference, and was featured by Ted editors on the home page.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Kelly McGonigal · Health psychologist

Kelly McGonigal translates academic research into practical strategies for health, happiness and personal success.

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*The Upside of Stress*

FROM THE BLOG
The surprising upsides of stress
Dive into seven studies that show how stress can do your mind and body good.
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Lotion Bar Sticks for Pain Relief {Arthritis and Achy Muscles}

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This easy DIY recipe features a trio of herbs (cayenne, ginger and arnica flowers) that have been shown to help relieve pain, inflammation and arthritis.

It features a trio of herbs:

  • cayenne – contains capsaicin which has been shown to offer relief from arthritic and other types of pain
  • ginger – traditionally used to warm, increases circulation and relieve pain when applied topically
  • arnica flowers – traditionally used to treat swelling, bruising and arthritic joints

(Sources: Making Plant Medicine, by Richo Cech; PubMed: here, here, here, here, here, here.)

The lotion bar stick format is especially handy for products made with cayenne, since you want to be sure not to rub it in your eyes or mucous membranes, as it can burn.

 

Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I earn a small commission for sending a customer their way. I only recommend products I’ve personally used and like. 🙂 

 

Cayenne, Ginger and Arnica Infused OilSave

Step One – Make the Infused Oil

In a small heatproof 8 ounce glass container or jar (like these), add 2 tablespoons dried arnica flowers, 1 tablespoon cayenne powder and 1 tablespoon ginger powder.

Fill the jar the rest of the way with oil. I like to use rice bran, sweet almond or sunflower oil, but feel free to use your own favorite oils for this project. Stir and add more oil if needed.

Set the jar down into a saucepan containing a few inches of water and warm it over low heat for one to two hours. (Alternatively, you can cover the jar with a cap and let the oil infuse at room temperature for around 4 weeks.)

After the oil is infused to your satisfaction, strain it through a very fine mesh sieve and/or cheesecloth, leaving the powdered sediment behind in the infusing jar (to avoid grittiness) then use in the following recipe.

 

ingredients to make lotion bar stick for pain relief and arthritisSave

Step Two – Make the Lotion Bar Sticks

If you don’t own a scale, try using roughly 1/4 cup each of beeswax, oil and shea butter.

If you don’t get quite the texture you’re looking for, melt the mixture again and add more wax for added firmness, or more oil for a softer consistency.

  • 1.3 oz (36 g) beeswax
  • 1.7 oz (48 g) herb-infused oil from above
  • 1.7 oz (48 g) shea or mango butter

Combine the beeswax, oil and butter in a heatproof jar or container. (Use a recycled tin can for easiest cleanup.)

Set the container down into a saucepan containing a few inches of water and heat over medium-low heat until melted.

Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes before pouring into empty deodorant containers.

 

For more essential oil and pain information, you might also enjoy browsing through a search on PubMed (like THIS ONE) or the wonderful book, The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness.

 

How to Use Lotion Bar Sticks for Pain Relief

Rub the lotion bar stick over sore and achy muscles and joints. Be careful not to get it in your eyes since cayenne pepper can burn.

Without added essential oils, this pain relief stick is mild and gentle. For a stronger effect, consider adding Tei Fu or another essential oil blend (see information about that above.)

 

Source: Lotion Bar Sticks for Pain Relief {Arthritis and Achy Muscles}

8 Kinds Of Pain That Are Directly Connected To Emotional States

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Life can kick you, toss you and keep you down at any point in time. When this happens, it can lead us to feel more negative emotions than positive ones. Not only will we feel emotional pain, but we will also feel physical pain as well.

Because our spirit and body are intertwined, it becomes extremely important that we start listening to certain signals that our body sends us. The only way we can detect and treat our issues is through their manifestation via emotional and physical pain.

Head Pain: Severe headaches are a common sign that your under extreme stress. It might be a good idea to start doing things that you love.

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Some examples of things people often do to relax include walking in nature, reading, painting, exercising, and even different types of meditation are good ways for stress relief.

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Neck Pain: This type of pain is usually a result of people having difficulty letting things go or forgiving people. It’s best to remember that nobody is perfect and everyone makes mistakes.

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Upper Back Pain: If you have upper back pain, it is usually from a lack of emotional support. It tends to come from loneliness, being unloved or feeling unappreciated.

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In regards to feeling unloved or unappreciated, try connecting to those people who are close to you. Now if you are single, it’s time to get out there and meet new people and start dating.

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Lower Back Pain: If you often worry about your financial situation, you will feel lower back pain. It’s like those commercials where the person goes to see the doctor about lower back pain. But the doctor says they can’t help with “tax pain.”

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Whether it’s a financial crisis, or money is just a touchy subject, but you need to try and regain control of your finances and try to manage your money more carefully. Or you can ask a financial expert for help.

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Elbow Pain: Elbow pain may signify that approach life in a more rigorous and planned way. This type of pain is also a sign that you are unwilling to change.

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The stiffer your elbow becomes, the stiffer the life your leading is. It’s always a good idea to shake things up in your life from time to time. It allows you to get used to change and also used to unexpected surprises.

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Pain in Your Hands: Hand pain can be a sign that you are not connect with people the way you want. It’s important to go out and try to meet new people. It may restore a fresh feeling that you’ve been missing.

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This doesn’t mean you leave your old friends, it’s also important to re-establish the connections with them because every relationship is worth investing in.

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Hip Pain: Because your hips are connected to your legs, this pain could be a sign that you are afraid to move. I’m not talking about physically moving, I’m talking about your fear to move forward in life.

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You need to remember that some of the greatest accomplishments in life were done by people who took risks. It’s important to try and get out of your comfort zone sometimes because you will never find what life has to offer if you don’t look.

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Source: 8 Kinds Of Pain That Are Directly Connected To Emotional States

7-Day Souping Meal Plan – EatingWell

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“Souping” has gained popularity in recent years as a way to eat clean, lose weight and get healthy. The idea behind a soup cleanse is that you eat only vegetable soups for a certain number of days and afterwards—poof—you’re magically slimmer and healthier. Unfortunately, there’s no magic trick for losing weight or staying healthy, and in fact, eating nothing but vegetable soup means you miss out on a lot of important nutrients from other foods. While the souping trend isn’t the cure-all some claim it to be, there are definite benefits to eating more veggie-packed soups. For one, you’re getting in a variety of veggies and the beneficial nutrients they provide, like fiber, vitamins and minerals. And because vegetable soups are naturally low in calories and have a high water content, you can fill up on a large serving.

 

In this week’s meal plan, we show you Eating Well’s take on a healthy soup diet. The 7 days of soups in this plan pack in the veggies and add in other healthy foods to balance out the meal, with filling protein from beans, lentils and lean meat. Each soup is low-calorie, so you can enjoy a big bowl, and provides at least 1 serving of protein to help you feel satisfied. To make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need, we suggest balancing your day with a healthy breakfast and lunch (that isn’t soup), so we’ve included some recipe ideas each day for inspiration. Enjoy this week of delicious, warming and satisfying soup dinners.

 

Day 1: Southwestern Vegetable & Chicken Soup

Southwestern Vegetable & Chicken Soup: Who wouldn’t want to eat their vegetables when they’re tucked into a fragrant broth with bits of tasty chicken and spiked with a shot of fresh lime and cilantro? This healthy chicken vegetable soup seems even richer with the smoky flavor from roasted poblano peppers and garlic. Serve this healthy soup with tortilla chips and a side salad to round out the meal.

For breakfast, try these make-ahead Muffin-Tin Quiches with Smoked Cheddar & Potato, and for lunch, the colorful Spring Roll Salad.

 

Day 2: Ribollita Soup

Ribollita Soup: Ribollita, a traditional hearty Tuscan soup, typically uses day-old bread to add body and thicken the broth. This ribollita recipe uses a bean mash instead to add fiber. Garnish with extra-virgin olive oil or pepper and grated Parmesan and a piece of crusty whole-grain bread.

Try this beautiful Raspberry-Peach-Mango Smoothie Bowl for breakfast and the Creamy Avocado & White Bean Wrap for lunch.

 

Day 3: Sweet Potato Peanut Bisque

Sweet Potato Peanut Bisque: This satisfying vegetarian sweet potato soup is inspired by the flavors of West African peanut soup. We like the added zip of hot green chiles, but be careful not to add too much—they’re spicy. Top with chopped peanuts and scallions and serve with a mixed green salad with vinaigrette.

The Quinoa & Chia Oatmeal cooks up quickly for breakfast and the Green Goddess Salad with Chicken makes for a healthy lunch, ready in just 15 minutes.

 

Day 4: Salmon Chowder

Salmon Chowder: The flavor of this salmon chowder is enhanced by adding either fresh dill or dried tarragon—each herb lends its own distinctively different and appealing character to the soup. This recipe calls for instant mashed potatoes, which gives the soup a thick, chowder texture without any heavy cream or butter. Leftover mashed potatoes will work, but give a slightly less-velvety texture.

The Fig & Ricotta Toast is a fun way to change up your typical breakfast toast routine and the Spinach, Avocado & Mango Salad adds a tropical flavor twist to lunch.

 

Day 5: Curried Parsnip & Apple Soup

Curried Parsnip & Apple Soup: This creamy parsnip and apple soup recipe has amazing flavor from the combination of curry powder, coriander, cumin and ginger. Be sure to use fresh curry powder when making this soup for the best flavor. Not sure if yours is fresh? Open the jar: the aroma should meet your nose immediately. Serve this warming soup with flatbread or whole-wheat rolls.

The Broccoli & Parmesan Cheese Omelet makes for a satisfying breakfast and the Edamame Hummus Wrap is a great packable lunch.

 

Day 6: Slow-Cooker Chicken Pho

Slow-Cooker Chicken Pho: Chicken pho, a classic Vietnamese soup, is a perfect recipe for a slow cooker. The chicken and seasonings of star anise, cloves and ginger simmer all day in the crock pot, welcoming you home with an alluring aroma. Serve with the essential garnishes for pho soup—fresh herbs, bean sprouts, chiles and lime—and let everyone top their own. For those who want more heat, add some chile-garlic sauce.

The Strawberry & Yogurt Parfait is a convenient grab-and-go breakfast and the Salmon Salad is an easy-to-make lunch to take to work.

 

Day 7: Very Green Lentil Soup

Very Green Lentil Soup: Lentils seem to go well with just about anything, and here they play well with a collection of greens and some cumin and coriander to add a gentle spicy note to this soup recipe. The result is a hearty soup with layers of flavor. Both French green lentils (available in natural-foods stores and specialty markets) and more commonly available brown lentils are delicious in this soup. The French green lentils hold their shape better when cooked, while brown lentils will start to break down a bit.

Fiber-packed, protein-rich Oatmeal-Almond Protein Pancakes are just what you need on a Saturday morning. And the Open-Face Egg Salad Sandwich recipe for lunch is enhanced with the help of savory pancetta.

Source: 7-Day Souping Meal Plan – EatingWell